The buzz began with recent reports suggesting the Edmonton Oilers are considering extending defenceman Jake Walman to an eight-year deal—despite him having only a year left before unrestricted free agency . By securing him now for eight years, the team could effectively lower his average annual value to around $5.6 million. That approach gives the Oilers cost certainty—especially if the salary cap continues to rise—while rewarding a player who bolted into their lineup with slick breakout passes and reliable defence .
This would follow a trend the Oilers already set in motion earlier this summer when they locked up forward Trent Frederic with an eight-year, $30.8 million extension (an AAV of $3.85 million) just before he reached free agency . Frederic was acquired at the trade deadline and, despite limited regular-season ice time, contributed four points across 22 playoff games and played a core role in Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. His eight-year term underscores Edmonton’s willingness to reward physical, dependable depth pieces who fit their playoff aspirations.
However, not everyone agrees this is a smart financial path. Some voices caution that handing out long-term deals to players whose peak value might be in question could become liabilities later on . For instance, former Oiler Devan Dubnyk recently voiced his wariness regarding goalie Stuart Skinner, warning against committing long term given his still-developing consistency—suggesting the club should stick to shorter term “prove-it” deals instead .
That said, Edmonton’s front office under GM Stan Bowman seems intent on locking in contributors early—even if they aren’t marquee names. The Jake Walman extension, if it materializes, would be another strategic move in this vein: blending cost certainty with rewarding good fits before market prices climb .
The Oilers are in a cap environment where managing long-term assets efficiently is crucial—especially with stars like McDavid and Draisaitl already on massive deals. Adding controlled cost pieces through eight-year extensions offers both roster stability and financial predictability. But whether this strategy pays off will depend on how consistently players like Walman and Frederic perform over the full length of their contracts.
